The Writer’s Space Fellowships FAQ 

 How much is the application fee for the program?

Application fees are used to pay professional assessors to read your work. Application fees are $45 per application, unless you are a financially current alumni member using your annual fee waiver. If you have a Healthcare card, the application fee is $30.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to receive an application fee exemption, there is a small amount of funds via the Varuna Equity fund available. Please select ‘I am applying for the Varuna Equity Fund’ on your application form and include 1-2 sentences about your circumstances for our records.

If I am successful, are there any fees for participating in the program?

There are no fees for participating in this program.

Residency fellowships include meals and accommodation for one week.

What about travel costs?

Varuna will reimburse travel expenses between Katoomba and your home.

Am I required to take my fellowship at a specific time of year?

Residency Fellowships will need to be taken between 18 to 25 November 2024, subject to availability in the house.  Online Fellowships will take place between 18 November to 15 December 2024 with some scheduled activities during that period but are designed to be flexible to enable participants to work at their own pace with their dedicated writing time.

Is this your only fellowship for writers with disability?  

We also welcome writers with disability or who are D/deaf to apply to our 2024 Varuna Residential Fellowships round which will take place in June 2024. As part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships, we award our Jerra Studio Flagship Fellowship for writers with disability that have had difficulty accessing opportunities to pursue their writing career due to their disability.

When will I be notified regarding the outcome?

You will be notified of the outcome of your submission by email, and the fellowship recipients will be announced on our website in May 2024.

Will I receive feedback upon my work?

Selectors do not discuss the selection process or offer individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants. If you would like to receive more specific feedback on your manuscript, Varuna can provide writers with structured and ongoing support through our Writers Conversation service.

I’ve missed the deadline. Can I still submit an application?

No. Unfortunately no applications will be accepted after the deadline date.

I do not have a complete manuscript yet. Can I still apply?

Absolutely. 

Is there a word limit for my submission?

Yes, the word limit is 10,000 words.

How can I write my bio (previous writing experience) without including identifying details?

Try to indicate the level of your experience without being too specific. For example, you might write ‘I have had many essays published in literary journals, including Griffith Review and Meanjin, and my first novel was published by Black Inc. in September 2016.’ In general, it is advised not to include the titles of any published works. You can however mention any awards or fellowships received.

What do you mean when you say writers with disability or who are d/Deaf?

The aim of this program is to support writers who may have previously experienced barriers to developing their skills such as the lack of physical access, communication barriers, discrimination, or other people's attitudes. This includes, but isn't limited to, writers with sensory or physical conditions, hidden conditions, ongoing medical conditions, writers with cognitive or learning disability or mental health conditions. 

What access facilities does Varuna have for writers with disabilities or who are D/deaf?

We now have a wheelchair-accessible studio and a Disability Inclusion Action Plan so we can work on eliminating potential barriers to accessing our programs. We encourage writers with disability to email maeve@varuna.com.au to discuss specific access requirements which may be required during a residency. More information can be found on our accessibility page of our website https://www.varuna.com.au/accessiblity. 

Can a support worker stay with me during my residency?

If you notify us in advance of your residency that you would like a support worker to stay with you, we can help you make arrangements for them to stay in a nearby holiday house. If you receive NDIS funding, we can provide any information required to ensure your NDIS support can be used to assist your stay.

Can I apply for more than one Varuna fellowship at a time?

Yes; for example, the Varuna Residential Fellowships will open later in June 2024, and you are welcome to apply for both.

I received a Varuna Residential Fellowship two years ago. Can I apply for a The Writer’s Space Varuna Fellowship this year?

Yes.

Can I apply for a fellowship submitting work that is already under contract with a publisher?

Yes.

I work with another writer collaboratively. If our application is successful, can we come to Varuna together?

If your writing is genuinely a joint work, please contact maeve@varuna.com.au to explain your specific requirements. We will try to accommodate you if we possibly can.

Can I submit more than one application?

No.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants need to be an Australian citizen or have a permanent residency visa, be over 18 years old and identify as a writer with disability or who is D/deaf. Recipients of the 2022 and 2023 Writer’s Space Fellowships are not able to apply in 2024.

I applied to The Writer’s Space Fellowship in 2023 and wasn’t successful. Can I apply again?

Yes, if you applied to the program last year and were unsuccessful you are welcome to apply in 2024, as long as you are based in NSW.

For general information on Accessibility at Varuna including Varuna’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, go here.